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Eugene Weekly : Letters : 5.28.09
Archive by EW-staffPosted on 02/24/2012
OUR SO-CALLED LEADERS
EWEB, Eugene/Springfield and UO hierarchy (the whole state of Oregon for that matter) strike me as very similar to companies like GM or Chrysler run by a bunch of drunk CEOs flying around in private jets stating they will reform and become more competitive and "greener."
EWEB, Eugene, Springfield and UO bureaucrats sell the citizens of Lane County the perception "we" have become greener by bulldozing 50 acres of wetlands for a EWEB palace to be heated with fossil fuels (a few token solar panels will be added), building the most expensive college basketball arena in U.S. history to be heated with fossil fuels (no token solar panels), selling so-called "renewable energy" by burning clear-cut forests, spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on widening freeways and highways to "reduce" global warming gases, building $2 million-plus bicycle bridges to malls and building new big box stores on top of farmland and wetlands.
I think toxic waste is good for you, too. It helps build stronger bones and increases one's life expectancy. I take my dose every day by breathing Eugene/Springfield's "clean air" and drinking unfiltered water flowing by the nearest PVC pipe plant or glue factory or pulp mill or mall parking lot.
After 18 years of struggles to create a greener and healthier Eugene/Springfield, it seems that our efforts have been so futile because impacts to our air, water and land have only gotten substantially worse, thanks to our so-called leaders.
Shannon Wilson, Co-director of Ecosystem Advocates and chair of Many Rivers Group
GIVE US OUR DAILY O!
I'm a big fan of "The Big O!" As President Frohnmayer says, "We're proud of our brand!" And why not? The university is performing an important public service by constantly reminding the Eugene-Springfield community of the health benefits of daily orgasm. That's what I always think of when I see The Big O or hear that phrase — and I'm not alone, not that there's anything wrong with being alone when you're enjoying your daily Big O. However you do it, wherever and with whomever (consenting adults only, please), The Big O, unlike football, will increase the flow of oxytocin and oxygen to your brain, filling you with greater love and intelligence.
Thanks, President Frohnmayer, for the good vibrations.
Ellen Singer, Eugene
PAINFUL CHOICES
Oregon law forces difficult and painful choices in these most difficult of times. Balancing the budget puts legislators and the governor "between a rock and a hard place." They're forced to find what cuts will do the least harm.
Let's urge them to minimize the cuts and harm to our public schools. They should ask everyone to pay their fair share. We can't think of a better investment for Oregon and Lane County.
Public schools are a critical economic driver. The jobs of the future require an educated work force. We can't attract new business without them. Some Oregon corporations pay as little as $10 per year in income tax — the same amount since the Great Depression. Less than a movie and soda. It is in their interest to start paying their fair share. Oregon has the largest elementary class sizes in the nation with one of the shortest school years. Better educated kids make better choices out of school; after-school programs keep many at-risk kids out of trouble.
The numbers speak for themselves — our expensive, overcrowded jails are filled with high school dropouts. Eighty percent of Oregon inmates are high school dropouts. Those who have the most to lose — those making more than $250,000 — should pay their fair share.
We know legislators' choices are difficult. Our public schools are a good investment. For everyone.
Leslie Weinstein, Tatiana Weinstein, 4J student, Eugene
NATURAL DEVELOPMENT
There has been much discussion about the so-called pits downtown, and a search for developers and eventual tenants continues. But one of the pits has in fact already secured the best "developer" I know — Mother Nature — and a steady stream of new tenants is quickly filling the available spaces.
In the pit nearest the southwest corner of Willamette and Broadway, young cottonwoods have already leafed out, and myriad other plants await their turns to delight passersby and pollinators alike.
I've watched this site for the past few years and simply marvel at what I see. In addition to the cottonwoods, the seeds of other trees — including incense cedar and big-leaf maple — have arrived and germinated. In the southwest corner of the lot, just inside the ugly chain-link fence, Oregon's lovely state flower, the Oregon grape, now blossoms. The biggest show will come later this spring, as coreopsis, California poppy, birds-foot trefoil, pearly everlasting and many more flowers bring color and life back to this once-barren site.
Instead of screening from view this wondrous place, why not encourage passersby to appreciate and learn from what is happening? A sign could be erected that explains how "ecological succession" works and identifies the predominant plants, avian visitors and so forth.
I realize that this site will someday be "developed" in a more conventional fashion — probably with a big, lifeless brick and steel building. In the meantime, let's enjoy it for the fascinating little nature preserve that it has become all on its own.
Whitey Lueck, Eugene
INCONVENIENT JOKE
Regarding the city's or anyone else's stance on global warming (news story, 5/21), the actual inconvenient truth is even if you stopped all anthropogenic production of greenhouse gases immediately, it would have absolutely no effect on planetary climate trends. Zero, zilch, nada.
So while you religious zealots in the house of "Mother Earth" (what a joke, the planet doesn't give a rat's ass about you) and your lawyers continue to pretend to save the world (and make lawyer money), the weather is still gonna be the weather. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Have a nice day, you monkeys!
And by the way, you can't fight "The Man" when you are "The Man." Dig it, man?
Scott Zeppa, Springfield
HARD TO BE A COP
In response to "EPD Cowards" (letters, 5/14): Are you serious? You are mistaken when you write that "Eugene is about the easiest place in the world to be a cop." I would imagine that the easiest place would be a community with low crime (property and physical), low drug-related issues and a police department that is actually supported by its community. Eugene might just be one of the more difficult places to work as an officer because the community doesn't support them.
Let's say I'm at the grocery store and the clerk is really rude to me. Do you think I'm going to say, "I hate all grocery store clerks! They're all a bunch of jerks!"? Absolutely not! Police officers are people too. With husbands and wives and children, grandchildren too. Eugene police officers actually have one of the most difficult jobs. How many of you would be willing to go to work every day, not knowing exactly what the situation might be? And having to risk your own life for the sake of someone else's?
I assume that you know all "hippies and activists" in the Eugene community because you seem to think that none of them are dangerous. I came across an article from the Democracy Now website dated June 11, 2007, stating that activist Daniel McGowan had been sentenced to seven years in prison for arson, which the judge said was an act of terrorism. Some might argue that this type of "activist" is extremely dangerous.
Mary Mainenti, Eugene
MORPHING MEDICINE
Your article on doctors communicating with patients by email was interesting. I have been exchanging emails with traveling patients for years. Granted, it is easy to do in a narrow medical field (travel medicine) and in a small office. All of the extra software and privacy issues are solved with already existing programs and personal email systems with security, passwords and firewalls set up on either end as usual. With large groups it becomes very complicated. Unfortunately, medicine is morphing towards large groups almost exclusively.
If someone emails me with questions, there would be some limitations. Questions should be short, simple and straightforward and usually relate to preparations for travel outside the U.S. They should be couched in general terms and not specific to a person's medical condition. Answers may also be fairly general.
I can do more for established traveling patients with existing medical records, but I can also be helpful in a general way for others, especially if planning a new trip. Some other questions may also be answered. Participants will have to understand that responses may be more general to adhere to standards of medical care and to limit liability that may be incurred by giving medical advice for a patient we have not yet seen. We currently do not charge for answering emails sent under these guidelines.
Travelers seen in the office are managed differently. I make sure there is good understanding of the issues and I am usually able to spend as much time with the traveler as needed to accomplish this for a flat fee.
John D. Wilson, M.D., The Travel Clinic, Eugene
CULTURALLY IRRELEVANT
Let them build a new cop shop as far out as we can get them so that the EPD can become as geographically irrelevant to the city of Eugene as they already are culturally irrelevant to the community. When they stop fucking with me on my bike and start dealing with the folks responsible for breaking into my house and drinking the milk in my refrigerator because they're high on something they bought a few blocks away but have no food or money, perhaps then we could let them park their cars closer to the city core.
I would like to see businesses that are open past 5 pm replace any of the dead blocks downtown. Among the banks, city buildings and pits, there is more dark space than activity after business hours downtown.
Give the police a simple but functional building far away and have a few small stations in town, one downtown open 24/7. Fort Collins, Colo., police department might be a good example to learn from — they have a massive building way the hell out. Ask them what the consequences were for them.
The money left over from building or retrofitting an appropriately budgeted space for our city police should be used to help those with no homes find helpful, no contingency shelter. Over a pint at Tiny Tavern one night, a woman from my neighborhood told me to buy a pit bull to protect my house. Another man at a Whiteaker community meeting told the audience that he consciously chose to be homeless for part of his life and wanted "homeless rights" for those living on the streets.
If I have to protect my property with an attack dog because the police have failed my neighborhood, then they are irrelevant, and it doesn't matter where their shop is.
Isaac McCoy-Sulentic, Eugene
A NEW LANE
The following is a red alert for property owners, environmentalists, bicyclists, walkers, nature lovers and so on: Lane Transit District, LTD, is becoming more and more determined to develop an EmX dedicated lane, with stations along Amazon Creek from the intersection of West 13th Avenue and Arthur Street going to Bertelson Road.
This project would necessitate the taking of large quantities of property along Amazon Creek, either through sale or eminent domain. LTD's objective and the reason for all this future destruction and chaos is for them to have as straight a line as possible from the downtown terminal to Danebo Road.
The demolition of housing where Amazon Creek and West 13th intersect is the first thing that would occur. Amazon Creek's banks are unstable and riddled with tunnels and warrens from rodent activity. On the south bank are restricted wetlands. Amazon Creek is a Class I waterway with a minimum 50 foot setback, which would warrant the taking of even more property. Parts of the bike path would be destroyed and, when rebuilt, would have diesel fumes and noise in its proximity. As of now, the creek is a non-motorized byway. And what about the critters that live along the creek?
Let's not forget what happened to 286 trees on Pioneer Parkway for an EmX extension. The public was not informed beforehand because no one asked about the trees, according to Mark Pangborn, LTD general manager. If you are concerned, contact LTD and our City Council, a co-signee onto any project.
Pauline Hutson and Jozef Siekiel-Zdzienicki, Eugene
CIVILIAN VS. CITIZEN
In Alan Pitman's news brief ("Taser Probe," 5/7), he refers to the CRB as the "Citizens Review Board." Did he err or was he making a suggestion to the readers and political leaders? The dictionary is an excellent place to try to distinguish among civilian, civil, citizen, military, etc.
Ed Wilson, Eugene
EDITOR'S NOTE: The letter writer is correct. Different cities use different words, but our CRB uses the word "civilian," which is more specific and exclusive. Active military and police personnel can be citizens, but they cannot be civilians. So by definition, police officers cannot serve on our CRB. Even "citizen" is a loaded word these days, as it excludes our many undocumented residents.
Incompetent insults
Sally Sheklow's parody of Faulkner (4/23) was close enough to the mark to make me laugh out loud. Her point about Sam Adams was a little hard to follow, but I think I agree with it too. As another longtime Eugene lesbian feminist, I can say that while I don't always agree with her, Sheklow is a very good representative of my community's perspective on life around here, and we certainly need it in the paper.
In a letter (5/7), Steve Downey calls her a man-hater and uses a Stepin Fetchit analogy which is not only outrageous but intellectually incompetent. His complaint is actually with Sheklow's feminism, not her lesbianism. Well, in my experience, every feminist will eventually be called a man-hater, but that won't stop us. Pointing out sexism is not hateful; it's speaking truth to power. Downey is the one feeding the stereotype, not Sheklow.
Lorraine Ironplow, Eugene
REAL MEN FOR SALLY
Steve Downey wrote one downer of a letter (5/7) falsely claiming that columnist Sally Sheklow believes "that being a lesbian necessarily involves hating men."
I remember arriving in Eugene more than a quarter century ago, and Sally was and has always been as friendly as can be.
But let me think back. There was that wild truck tour of the women-owned warehouse collective when I first got here. Friendly. There was support for human rights activism at our nonprofit MindFreedom. Friendly. There was that hilariously crowded cabin on the coast. Friendly. Successfully firm encouragement to get an elevator here at Growers Market where we have an office. Friendly. Improvisational humor. Friendly. Random fun "hellos" from coast to city. Friendly. Dozens of bro-friendly columns. Friendly.
But am I a real man? Let me check. Yep. Even though once upon a time in a peace protest an affinity group of lesbians voted me an honorary lesbian.
Steve Downey may have something in common with Sally Sheklow: a unique sense of humor. Just consider his apparent irony. He quotes John Lennon about the need for more love, and then sends out this anti-love letter. He informs us that he is The Man In Charge of Picking Lesbian Role Models and Sheklow has lost. Where does Downey hold auditions? Is this some kind of fantasy T-shirt slogan, like "Official Beach Bikini Inspector"? I think how it works is that lesbians get to pick their own role models. I don't know where; they just do. (And in case anyone's wondering, bikini owners get to pick their own inspectors.)
Message to Steve Downey: Buddy, we "real men" also get to pick our own role models.
David W. Oaks, MindFreedom Internationall
I really am quite appalled by Mr. Downey's letter; clearly he does not know Sally personally. I am a gay man who has lived in Eugene for the better part of 11 years and I have worked with Sally in many capacities. (Everything for the local GLBTQ PRIDE celebration, Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations, human rights work when I was a commissioner on the Eugene Human Rights Commission, and a number of other instances that involved men, women, and children from many diverse backgrounds.)
I think Mr. Downey should meet Sally before he makes such accusations. I for one can tell you that she treats everyone she meets with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Shame on you Mr. Downey, for dragging her name in the mud!
Jer Megowan, Eugene/Springfield PRIDE
FISSION FACTS
This regards the letter to the editor by Zachary Moitoza ("Nuclear Potential," 5/7) where geothermal power was said to be only available in a few spots. Actually, geothermal power is available most everywhere in the form of "hot dry rock" (HDR) though it requires deep drilling, and such equipment and expertise is limited.
Regarding nuclear fission power, Generation III+ reactors that are in production are difficult to screw up thanks to their passive and redundant systems, and the upcoming Generation IV reactors cannot melt down even if you tried. I was a staunch nuclear fission opponent, but the improved technology has turned me around in the face of global warming, tens of thousands of deaths annually attributed to the particulate matter of coal burning, and entire mountain tops and watersheds destroyed by coal mining. Nuclear fission is a viable temporary stop-gap until we can get solar, wind and geothermal power expanded.
Torsten Pihl, Corvallis
PREMIUM PROBLEM
Another health insurance premium increase! After last year's approved increase for BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon for 26 percent, one would think they could manage without a demand for another 14.7 percent raise this year. Outrageous! This will affect about 79,000 Oregonians and probably end health insurance for many.
With increasing unemployment, even more families will be pushed out of their homes because of unexpected medical bills. Who will be next?
Meanwhile our elected officials arrest those asking for a discussion of single-payer health care in our country's capitol. This is an important time for phone calls to our elected officials in Washington; Peter DeFazio at 465-6732, Jeff Merkley at 465-6750, Ron Wyden at 431-0229. Tell them we all need a single-payer health care like every other country. It is the right thing to do.
Ruth Duemler, Eugene
ENABLE EDUCATION
I've just read about the California voters' response to the several measures proposed by the state's government in their desperate attempt to resolve their budget crisis. All but one of the measures failed, and, predictably, now the government is talking about "draconian" measures that will need to be taken in order to make up for their $21.3 billion deficit. The tragedy of it is that, as usual, one of the first areas targeted for budget cuts is education.
It happens in every state. Whenever there is a budget crisis, one of the first places the axe falls is on school spending. This, when there already aren't enough teachers, students are using outdated books and computer equipment (if they have them at all), facilities are crumbling, and teachers are forced to buy supplies because the schools don't have them.
I simply cannot understand how any state legislator, who owes everything he or she has, including the very position of power they hold, to their education, would use that power to cut funding for schools. Is the irony not thick enough for them to see? The price we will pay in the continued decline of this country on many, many levels is incalculable.
So I make this plea to Oregon's legislators: Our financial problems are complex, and the solutions are not easy. We will all have to make some difficult choices, and many sacrifices may have to be made. But please, please do not sacrifice the future of this state and this country by continuing this assault on our schools. Legislators, ask yourselves, where would you be today without your "edukashun"?
Henry Snow, Eugene
EXPENSIVE FOR WHOM?
The cry that many hear rising from the anti-real-health-care-reform din is: "Too expensive!" But what I hear is the private health insurance companies crying that a public option would put them out of business.
Seems the latter cry decries the former. Know what I mean? Listen to your little voices.
Benton Elliott, Eugene
EFFICIENCY'S DOWNSIDE
Environmental groups and the media are treating Obama's bill to raise fuel efficiency standards from 27.5 mpg to 35.5 mpg as a solution to climate change. A Register-Guard op-ed even says this will lower consumption by "the equivalent of taking 177 million cars off the road" (we have 200 million cars in this country).
What people fail to recognize is that since the dawn of the industrial age, when James Watt patented his first steam engine in 1769, efficiency hasn't lowered energy consumption, it has raised it. In 1865 English economist Stanley Jevons noticed that since Watt's steam engine was five times as efficient as pervious models, it led to robust economic growth, thereby increasing overall consumption. This observation led to what is now known as the Jevon's Paradox.
We have doubled both vehicle efficiency AND oil consumption in this country since the 1970s. Wind, solar, nuclear, and a carbon tax to encourage conservation are the way to go, not efficiency alone.
Zachary Moitoza, Eugene
FIRSTHAND FRIEND
Steve Downey's conclusions (5/7) regarding Sally Sheklow's attitude towards men served as a reminder to me of how many times I've passed judgment or jumped to conclusions about people I just don't know; I thank him for that and for EW printing his letter.
I do know Sally Sheklow. She is a friend of mine and I love her. We do theater together and we worship together. She is one of the most openhearted individuals I have ever been blessed to meet.
Ken Hof, Eugene
Are You In Or Are You Out?
Archive 9 years ago
If five beach bums tried to surf their way to the classic California rock sound (The Doors, The Byrds, etc.) but instead got lost in a cloud of pot smoke and found themselves at a goth house party, you would end up with something like The Growlers. The Growlers are from Orange County; they like a little reverb on their guitars; there's a little bit of dark soul in their sound; and they do look and act baked much of the time, but that's where the similarities to those other bands end. Continue reading →
Little Shop of Horrors at Pleasant Hill
Archive 10 years ago
Just like the herbaceous monstrosity at the heart of this campy musical romp, the cult appeal of Little Shop of Horrors just keeps on growing. But if you've merely seen the movie starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis, you only know half the story. Continue reading →
30 Years of PIELC
ArchiveNews 10 years ago
Tell your friends "I'm going to spend the weekend at a law conference" and they'll figure you are in for a really horrible couple days. But when it comes to the UO's Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC), attendees are actually in for some fun and excitement. Continue reading →
Tags: PIELC / Public Interest Environmental Law Conference
Local and Vocal
Readers weigh in on local and national issues
Guest Viewpoint 18 hours ago
Traditional newspapers call opinion pieces written by the community "op eds" because they appear "opposite the editorial" page where the opinions of the editorial board … Continue reading →
Tags: Local and Vocal
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Official website of Tara Court Hotel Pattaya. This stunning Pattaya boutique hotel is superbly located on Pratumnak Hill, which is one of the most sought after and prestigious areas in all of Pattaya or Jomtien. So, if you are looking from a 1 night retreat at a luxury 4 star hotel or want to stay for several months in our fully serviced apartments: book today to avoid disappointment.
We asked our guests what was one of the most important features or benefits of Tara Court Boutique Hotel and were pleased that it was the speed of our check in. After an arduous flight and taxi trip, they just wanted to get into their room. Our check out is quite speedy as we do not have to check your room or mini bars. So we thought that we would further improve our check-in and tell the world!
When you have made a reservation for our rather special hotel in Pattaya you will receive a pre stay email detailing how you can check in very very quickly. With your documents already completed and your passport copied we can have you on your way to your room within 2 minutes. If you have chosen to pay your room before your departure date your check out will be just as quick – and all with a wonderful Thai smile.
As you will see from our banner there are lots of things for you to enjoy; sightseeing, relaxing on the beach, sports, shopping and a lively nightlife. Plus the most amazing tasting and value for money food to be found anywhere in the world.
The first reaction of most guests when they first see their studio or suite is WOW. When it comes to size none can beat our Boutique Hotel and the same goes for our balconies and terraces. Our smallest studios – if small is the appropriate word – are 48 square meters or 520 square feet.
The largest 2 bedroom suite covers an area of 125 square meters or nearly 1,345 square feet. These rooms are huge and there are no other 4 star hotels in the Pattaya or Thailand offering this amount of space in our price range. We are not cheap, but what we offering is stunning value.
Visit the Rooms and prices page of Tara Court Hotel.
Business support: Internet and printing is available to all guests on the ground floor next to reception. If you require professional printing for posters, flyers or brochures we can out you in touch with some excellent providers.
Wi-Fi: We are one of the first hotels and bars on Pratumnak Road to install twin 50 meg fibre optic cables. These offer unrivaled continuity of service and bandwidth to all of our guests.
Room Service: Food and beverages can be ordered from our Bar and Grill from 10am until 10pm every day.
And restaurants, bar, parking, swimming pool, laundry, taxi, golf tour and more facilities available for your staying with us.


We'd be very happy to receive any photographs you may have of any of the properties in here. So if you think you have a better picture than we have or have a picture where we don't then do email them into us and we'd be more than happy to acknowledge your contribution on the site. Simply email attach them to Alastair McIntyre in .jpg format if possible.


Everyday Makeup Routine Using Korean Makeup!
If you have been searching for some tips on how to apply Korean make-up, then you will find many delightful hints in this article. Specifically, you will learn some tips about applying contouring cosmetics, applying lip color that lasts and re-creating the look of dramatic Korean eyes, regardless of your skin type or ethnicity. Once you read this article, you should be able to incorporate these tidbits into your everyday make-up routine and cause nearby heads to turn!
After you apply your choice of moisturizer and foundation, it is important to employ other types cosmetics to provide shape and definition to your face. Products such as bronzer, shimmer and blush can help to provide contour to your face.
Korean women look best when they use a yellow-based blusher, and apply it to the "apple" area of the cheeks, adding plumpness where there is very little naturally, however, you should choose the shade of your blusher based on your own complexion.
Shimmer should only be applied in small amounts to the forehead, nose and chin very lightly, however, you can dust bronzer evenly over your whole face to imitate a golden summer glow.
Korean women look best when they leave their lips a neutral color, but you may want to try with a blue or pink-based lip color to balance your natural skin color. If you would like to experiment with a lip color, here are some tips to keep your color long-lasting.
First, apply foundation to your lips and then line them with a lip pencil, such as Too Cool For School brand Art Class Lip Crayon, prior to applying color. Once you add the color, dust your lips lightly with pressed powder to keep your hue from fading. To complete the look, add a touch of lip balm for shine.
Perhaps the most important aspect of mastering proper eye make-up technique is learning how to use it make your eyes stand out. The way Korean women easily accomplish this is by using different eye shadow shades to draw attention to various parts of the eyes.
Most eye shadow kits in Korea, such as 3CE triple eyeshadow by 3CE cosmetics, feature three different shades: one that is dark, one that is light and one that falls in between. First, apply the lightest color over the top of your eyes all the way to your eyebrow. Then, use the darker shade in the creases and as a liner, keeping it close to your eyelashes. Finally, using the medium tone, blend the former two shades together and smooth out all lines.
Because they have to deal with lashes that tend to be straight and stubby, Korean women tend to favor black mascara and eyelash extensions. Using both properly can undoubtedly enhance their almond shaped eyes, but long and thick eyelashes can make women of any color more alluring. When using mascara make sure to use a lash separating comb to eliminate any clumping on your real lashes.
Then, you can sparingly apply a bit of glue at the lash base and press your extensions on gently. You can even use a lash curler to add a slight upward curve to your lashes and your extensions.
Utilizing these make-up tricks should yield dramatic results for you regardless of your ethnic background. Contouring, applying long-lasting lip color and creating expressive eyes can be simple, but the results are downright startling. Now that you know these shortcuts, you are on your way to creating unique and exotic looks using Korean make-up that will draw everyone's attention to you as soon as you walk in the room.


60 Minute Photo has been in the photography business serving Herrmiston and the surrounding area for over 30 years, we have an excellent staff of photographers who continue to be on the cutting edge of the newest and greatest photography to suit each of our clients' needs.
60 Minute Photo photographers offer in Studio or Location sessions to reflect trends, styles and personality in your senior pictures. Seniors trust our photographers when it comes to capturing their best expression. We will photograph as many images of you that it takes to insure you will end with the quality senior pictures you expect.
This is one of the most important days in your lives, and our photographers want you to have keepsakes to show the joys that each moment of the day brought to you. Wedding photography is capturing the love between two people just as it happens.
Fine family portraits can be taken on location or in our Studio. Composition and lighting is the key to creating a family portrait that will be cherished by your entire family for years to come. Our Photographers work to build an atmosphere that will show the unity of your family as a whole.
Babies are such a great gift and a true miracle, and our photographers do an excellent job portraying this. if you are expecting, we capture that perfect glow every mom to be has. If you have just welcomed a new little bundle our photographers will create a perfect setting for your little darling rather they are wide awake, or sweet into dreamland.
60 Minute Photo believes that the community that we serve is the best place to live, and enjoys capturing the everyday events ofthe lives around us. Our goal is to produce excellent team and individual pictures for every sporting event, performing arts, and special occasions of those who live in Hermiston and the surrounding area.


Forget the 'cubicle farm' if you want to attract Gen Z employees.
Generation Z does not care about a traditional 9 to 5 workday in a "cubicle farm".
This is one of the findings employer brand research firm Universum found in their latest report "World's Most Attractive Employers" for 2018.
Generation Z is generally between 10- and 20-years-old and only know a world with smartphones with easy internet access.
For this generation' a work/life balance means something different to Millennials and those who came before them.
"Gen Z is the first generation to grow up understanding that technology allows you to work wherever and whenever you would like. Why work a traditional 9 to 5 schedule in a 'cubicle farm' when one can just as easily work remotely — even as a digital nomad.
Universum asked 228'910 business' engineering and IT students in the world's 12 biggest economies which employers they admire the most and what they are looking for when seeking employment.
They found what they want day to day is largely the same' but their long-term goals differ according to region. For the UK and Russian students' making top dollar is a top priority' Japanese and South Korean students want to work for companies that respect its employees' while French and Italian students want to be challenged.
About three in every 10 students want to work for companies with over 1'000 employees while about a quarter want to join companies with 500 to 1'000 employees.
In their research' students first check the social media pages of companies they want to join before heading over to their websites.
Retail giant Amazon was the biggest mover amongst business students' rising from 26 to 13 in the rankings of the most wanted boss.
To celebrate my Monday debut, I thought I would answer a work-related question that I get asked a lot.
Meanwhile' Facebook struggled over the past year as they faced several crises including Cambridge Analytica and claims a Russian-funded operation used the platform to interfere with the US elections.
The top 10 employers for business students were:Google; Goldman Sachs; EY (Ernst & Young); Deloitte; KPMG; PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers); Apple; J.P. Morgan; McKinsey; and Microsoft.
The top 10 employers for IT and engineering students were: Google; Microsoft; Apple; BMW; Intel; General Electric (GE); IBM; Siemens; Samsung; and Amazon.
Brazil; Canada; China; France; Germany; India; Italy; Japan; Russia; South Korea; The United Kingdom; and The United States of America.


text:
When it comes to the weather, we are basically cavemen
By Philip Bump on Sep 6, 2012
We scoff at the primitiveness of our ancient predecessors, coming up with complex theories for the motion of the sun or seeking shelter from the capricious, unpredictable rain. And then we spend all summer discussing global warming or the drought or hurricanes, with all of the effectiveness of scribbling a drawing on the wall with charcoal.
Which brings us to today's sun and rain update. Or, as I've taken to calling it: the 2012 Caveman Report.™
There was hope that Hurricane Isaac would put a dent in the drought. And, in some areas, that's been the case.
Several days of rain have given farmers in the nation's midsection a welcome break from irrigating and hauling water for livestock as they contend with the worst drought in the U.S. in decades.
The remnants of Hurricane Isaac dropped several inches of rain on wide areas of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri as the storm trudged north. Some spots got more than a half-foot of rain.
For most farmers, the rain came too late to make a difference in their year. Corn farmers have been harvesting for weeks, and soybeans are far enough along that the rain won't significantly improve their quality or growth.
And, of course, the storm also did its own damage, because hurricanes are incorrigible jerks.
In Arkansas, where farmers have been struggling with triple-digit temperatures and little rain, Robby Bevis, 35, saw the storm knock down several of his 150 acres of rice.
Bear in mind, we're only about halfway through hurricane season. There are currently two Category 2 storms cruising around the Atlantic, though neither appears to be headed for the United States.
(Here's a satellite photo of Hurricane Michael that's a jaw-dropper.)
There is one storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico which could make landfall in the United States: Hurricane Isaac. Yes, that same incorrigible jerk.
Now, a remnant of Isaac has shifted into the Gulf of Mexico, approaching the location of its previous life as a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, with thunderstorms persisting.
Bottom line…there is a chance this "piece of the former Isaac" could regenerate into a tropical depression, or perhaps weak tropical storm, over the next 1-2 days in the central Gulf.
It's unlikely — though in 2004, Hurricane Ivan douple-dipped, hitting Alabama as a Category 3 and then looping around to hit Louisiana as a tropical depression. Ivan was an overachiever. Isaac isn't expected to be quite as energetic.
It seems like it has been forever since we talked about the drought (besides a few paragraphs up). This is certainly in part because there wasn't much new to say: "Yeah, it's still ridiculously dry and there are no crops and someone name of Joad was trying to get in touch with you."
There's still not much new. This was the map of drought disaster areas a month ago. (All maps via the USDA.)
Click to embiggen.
And here it is from last week.
The number of counties has increased. But disaster areas are something of a trailing indicator — a county can be a disaster area even while the drought recedes. So here's a map of the actual drought.
Yeah, not really better.
The Times has a story today about one way in which strained water resources are leading to conflict as frackers battle farmers in Colorado for access.
A single [fracking] well can require five million gallons of water, and energy companies are flocking to water auctions, farm ponds, irrigation ditches and municipal fire hydrants to get what they need.
That thirst is helping to drive an explosion of oil production here, but it is also complicating the long and emotional struggle over who drinks and who does not in the arid and fast-growing West. Farmers and environmental activists say they are worried that deep-pocketed energy companies will have purchase on increasingly scarce water supplies as they drill deep new wells that use the technique of hydraulic fracturing. …
"It's not a level playing field," said Peter V. Anderson, who grows corn and alfalfa on the parched plains of eastern Colorado. "I don't think in reality that the farmer can compete with the oil and gas companies for that water. Their return is a hell of a lot better than ours."
As Andy Revkin notes, the water use between the two contestants is hardly equivalent. Frackers use .1 percent of the state's total. Farmers use 85.5. Though that brings the strain into sharper relief; the struggle is for small percentages of what would normally be available.
Last week, Business Insider noted another impact of the long-term drought.
Like thousands of other Americans getting stuck with huge repair bills, [homeowner Carol] DeVaughan learned that the intense drought baking much of the country's lawns, fields and forests this summer has also been sucking the moisture from underground, causing shifting that can lead to cracked basements and foundations, as well as damage aboveground. Repairs often cost tens of thousands of dollars and can even top $100,000, and they are rarely covered by insurance, as shocked homeowners have been discovering.
So let's summarize. We haven't learned how to deal with the sun; in fact, we're making its impacts worse. We are still coming to grips with what happens in the case of extreme rain. And now it turns out that we don't even have shelter figured out.
Which is why I'm moving to a cave. If anyone has a Zippo I could borrow, I'd be very grateful.
More in Climate & Energy	All Climate & Energy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Red poppies have been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war. The remembrance poppy was inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields". Its opening lines refer to the many poppies that were the first flowers to grow in the churned-up earth of soldiers' graves in Flanders, a region of Belgium.


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text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Reflection;

namespace PlugInsInterfaces.DataTypes.Process.Transportation
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Definition of a transportation step, contains a reference to the mode used and parameters for that step
    /// </summary>
    [Obfuscation(Feature = "renaming", Exclude = true)]
    public interface ITransportationStep
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Mode reference for transportation step
        /// </summary>
        [Obfuscation(Feature = "renaming", Exclude = true)]
        int ModeReference { get; }

        /// <summary>
        /// Origin location reference for transportation step
        /// </summary>
        [Obfuscation(Feature = "renaming", Exclude = true)]
        int OriginReference { get; }

        /// <summary>
        /// Destination location reference for transportation step
        /// </summary>
        [Obfuscation(Feature = "renaming", Exclude = true)]
        int DestinationReference { get; }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The GRAMMY Museum is proud to present a special screening of the acclaimed documentary film, Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? Profiling the vibrant life and career of the enigmatic singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, the film includes powerful and emotional interviews with Nilsson's friends and colleagues, including John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Brian Wilson, Randy Newman, Jimmy Webb, Robin Williams and many others with never-before-seen footage, home movies, over 50 Nilsson songs, and audio excerpts featuring Harry himself. A discussion with Director-Writer-Producer and GRAMMY nominee John Scheinfeld, Producer and multiple GRAMMY and EMMY nominee David Leaf, and special guests will follow the screening.


For sale in Chateauneuf in new building delivery scheduled 2th quarter 2020 T3 of 63.84m ² with balcony of 7.44m ². This apartment will be delivered with two parking spaces, a cellar of 8.80m ² in the basement and the kitchen is delivered équipée.Frais reduced notary.Parquet in the rooms, norms RT 2012, parking sou sol .... Eligible for Pinel law and sale in future state of completion.


But just face facts: ditching the headphone jack on phones makes them worse, in extremely obvious ways. Let's count them!
And let's compare them to arguments against removing floppy drives from the iMac in 1998.
Restricting audio output to a purely digital connection means that music publishers and streaming companies can start to insist on digital copyright enforcement mechanisms. We moved our video systems to HDMI and got HDCP, remember? Copyright enforcement technology never stops piracy and always hurts the people who most rely on legal fair use, but you can bet the music industry is going to start cracking down on "unauthorized" playback and recording devices anyway.
I'm not familiar with how people are taking advantage of the "analog loophole" to do things with audio out of the iPhone headphone port that would be forbidden using the digital Lightning port, but now seems like a good time to raise the big question: Should the analog headphone jack remain on our devices forever? If you think so, you can stop reading. If not, when? Maybe now is the wrong time, and Apple is making a mistake. I don't know. None of us outside the company seem to know, because all that has leaked is that the new iPhone won't have the port, with no explanation why. But I say at some point it will go away, and now seems like it might be the right time. Also, historically, Apple has proven to be very good at timing the removal of established legacy ports.
Patel misses the bigger problem. It's not enforcement of DRM on audio playback. It's enforcement of the MFi Program for certifying hardware that uses the Lightning port. Right now any headphone maker in the world can make any headphones they want for the standard jack. Not so with the Lightning port.
We deal with DRM when it comes to video because we generally don't rewatch and take TV shows and movies with us, but you will rue the day Apple decided to make the iPhone another 1mm thinner the instant you get a "playback device not supported" message. Winter is coming.
As an aside, whatever the merits of this decision, it's not about device thinness. The iPhone 6 is the thinnest iPhone to date at 6.9mm. The iPod Touch has a headphone jack and is just 6.1mm thick. The iPod Nano: 5.4mm. The analog headphone jack is more costly in terms of depth than thickness.
Totally agree. But the rumor is that the new iPhone will ship with wired Lightning earbuds.
External floppy drives sucked too.
The traditional headphone jack is a standard for a reason — it works. It works so well that an entire ecosystem of other kinds of devices has built up around it, and millions of people have access to compatible devices at every conceivable price point. The headphone jack might be less good on some metrics than Lightning or USB-C audio, but it is spectacularly better than anything else in the world at being accessible, enabling, open, and democratizing.
Apple is the company that brought us the 30-pin and Lightning ports, and whose iPhones, iPods, and iPads have never had USB ports. "Enabling, open, and democratizing" have never been high on Apple's list of priorities for external ports. They're on the list, to be sure. Just not high on the list.
"No one" asked for the iMac to remove the floppy drive or switch from ADB ports to USB (at a time when PCs weren't shipping with USB either, which meant few — I mean really few — existing USB peripherals on the market). There was a huge outcry when the iPhone 5 dumped the proprietary-but-ubiquitous 30-pin port for the proprietary-and-all-new Lightning port. MacBook Air fans are still complaining about the new MacBook's solitary USB-C port.
And as for battery life, surely removing the deep headphone socket can only leave more room for a larger battery.
We shall see. But I bet people will do just that. And in five years we'll look at analog headphone jacks the way we look at all the other legacy ports we've abandoned.


text:
CDC/FEMA draft plan ignores swab shortages and other failures in the "free-market" for testing.
annieli
A leaked CDC/FEMA draft plan tries to triage mitigation efforts, commodifies immunity without testing, and attempts to divert attention from Trump's missteps.
In the interim, swab and PPE shortages may be contributing to a decline in testing by commercial labs, which (of course) has nothing to do with keeping the case numbers down.
Trump's "cutie-pie" capitalism attempts to cartelize markets as Trump pimps specific firms over others, some with industry concentration. Darn kleptocracy.
WaPo: Leaked draft CDC and FEMA plan warns of 'significant risk of resurgence of the virus' with phased reopening, warns of a "large rebound curve" of novel coronavirus cases if mitigation efforts are relaxed too quickly https://t.co/9VaXtSUCWp
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 15, 2020
A draft national strategy to reopen the country in phases, developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasizes that even a cautious and phased approach "will entail a significant risk of resurgence of the virus."
The internal document, obtained by The Washington Post, warns of a "large rebound curve" of novel coronavirus cases if mitigation efforts are relaxed too quickly before vaccines are developed and distributed or broad community immunity is achieved.
About 26,000 people have now died from the coronavirus in the United States, and more than 608,000 cases have been reported.
The framework lays out criteria that should be in place before a region can responsibly ease guidelines related to public gatherings: a "genuinely low" number of cases; a "well functioning" monitoring system capable of "promptly detecting" spikes of infections; a public health system able to react robustly to new cases and local health systems that have enough inpatient beds to rapidly scale up in the event of a surge in cases.
This would seem to necessitate ramping up testing and production of personal protective equipment at levels not currently being done.
The report outlines three levels of mitigation: low, moderate and significant.
The CDC also wants to create a Covid-19 Response Corps.
One idea being discussed at the highest levels of government is that people who appear to have recovered from covid-19 should be granted a certificate of immunity, which would give them clearance to work and do other activities.
The number of coronavirus tests being analyzed daily by commercial labs plummeted more than 30 percent over the last week.
But Trump has become increasingly intent on reopening the country on May 1.
"Trump's advisers are trying to shield the president from political accountability should his move to reopen the economy prove premature and result in lost lives, and so they are trying to mobilize business executives, economists and other prominent figures to buy into the eventual White House plan, so that if it does not work, the blame can be shared broadly."
www.washingtonpost.com/…
Coronavirus testing hits dramatic slowdown in U.S.
The number of coronavirus tests analyzed each day by commercial labs in the U.S. plummeted by more than 30% over the past week, even though new infections are still surging in many states and officials are desperately trying to ramp up testing. https://t.co/glTZLh1PKz
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 15, 2020
The number of coronavirus tests analyzed each day by commercial labs in the U.S. plummeted by more than 30 percent over the past week, even though new infections are still surging in many states and officials are desperately trying to ramp up testing so the country can reopen.
One reason for the drop-off may be the narrow testing criteria that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last revised in March. The agency's guidelines prioritize hospitalized patients, health care workers and those thought to be especially vulnerable to the disease, such as the elderly. Health providers have been turning away others in part due to shortages of the swabs used to collect samples.
It's not clear whether demand has peaked among the groups on the CDC's priority list. But after being overwhelmed for weeks, commercial labs say they are now sitting with unused testing capacity waiting for samples to arrive.
The continued glitches in the U.S. testing system are threatening to impede attempts to reopen the economy and return to normal life. Expanding testing as much as possible is essential so officials have enough data to determine when it's safe to lift social distancing measures and allow people to go back to work. Continued testing beyond that point will help officials detect — and stamp out — sparks that could set off new outbreaks.
Quest Diagnostics, one of two major U.S. commercial lab companies, told POLITICO it is increasing outreach to health providers to "ensure patients are receiving testing they need." The lab company, which had a backlog of 160,000 tests as recently as late March, says it now can run 45,000 tests per day and has unused capacity.
But some labs are still struggling with supply shortages that make it difficult to analyze samples. Many medical school labs and teaching hospitals are having trouble getting enough swabs, personal protective equipment and other supplies needed to collect and analyze patient samples, Association of American Medical Colleges CEO David Skorton said Monday in a letter to the White House.
www.politico.com/…
"You're not mopping fast enough. (Laughter) That's a socialist mop. (Laughter and applause) Grab a mop — let's get to work." – Barack Obama (2009); "Soyez réalistes, demandez l'impossible!"
Indraft, failures, ignores, market, other, shortages, testing
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The perversion of rational thought from within the ranks of the Republican Party is one of the most disturbing developments...
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Losing weight should consider the drinks and beverages. Most of the people control weight by consuming food and diet drinks. Though you think that green smoothies and diet drinks are healthy, sometimes it is added extra substances influencing the efforts of weight loss.
Most of us myself included do not eat enough fruits and vegetables and green smoothies are a great way to get those more fruits and vegetables that we need.
They are quick, easy and convenient.
Green smoothies are a great alternative to the juicing craze that you've probably heard about. While I think juicing is good, green smoothies are better in my opinion because you actually drink everything including the stems, seeds etc.
There are a lot of super powders and seeds such as chia, cocoa, hemp and more that taste great and can easily be added to green smoothies.
Green smoothies can help you get sick less often.
Green smoothies can help people with chronic illnesses to have more energy and less pain.
Green smoothies can provide an alternative to drugs for healing.
Eating cooked food all the time is not good for you and green smoothies are a great way to get your dosage of raw food.
Green smoothies can help with allergies and asthma. They have been huge for me.
The most effective green smoothie recipes for weight loss are important to help losing weight quickly. These are some following recipes of green smoothie.
When you want to do diet program, the function of vegetables is important to reduce weight. Eating raw vegetables especially rich of fiber are significantly to help in losing weight. With consuming vegetable green smoothie, you can get everything and nutrition needed by body.
They include mineral, vitamin, and nutrition from vegetables. You will also feel saturated easily for hours. It means that you do not need to eat for times a day. People usually only consume boiled vegetables for diet menu served. It is good to try to make vegetable juice and green smoothie for weight loss.
It accelerates the process of weight loss. In addition, green smoothie can stimulate metabolism to reduce weight. It can meet the nutrition and fiber for body. The fresh green smoothie is a better recipe for weight loss. You can blend carrot and tomato with ginger. The green smoothie is believed to lose weight significantly.
Making you slimmer can be done by drinking diet juice and smoothie. One of the recipe is fruity veggie green smoothie. It is a drink combining vegetable and fruits to lose weight. The fruits and vegetables are good to keep saturated. It is an amazing combination in which it is a traditional recipe for weight loss. You can blend carrot, broccoli, spinach and mango to make this green smoothie. It will be tasty and fresh green smoothie recipes for weight loss.
five almonds, banana and an apple.
Those ingredients are then blended until it mixes well. All ingredients have a certain secret for accelerating body metabolism and fight for hunger. Try to consume green smoothie regularly every day to complete diet menu. It can work effectively to reduce weight if you select the right combination of green smoothie ingredients.
Have you ever made a green smoothie and found that the greens or other fruits and vegetables didn't mix smoothly or that there were chunks inside the drink even though you blended it as well as you could? Well, the reality is that this happens to everyone from time to time but there are ways that you can do a better job of blending your green smoothie.
Remove any stems or other unnecessary hard parts to your fruits and veggies before blending. An example would be the stems on kale.
Blend the greens with water first before adding any other fruits or vegetables.
Cut apples in quarters, or peel an orange and break it into four pieces before blending.
If blending more than 3 different fruits and vegetables, blend no more than 2 at once and then add each additional item.
Use a high quality blender. I love my nutribullet but if you can afford a vitamix or a blendtec then you want to use one of those. Cheap blenders will not work. They cannot blend the greens combined with other fruits and vegetables well enough to taste good. I've tried it and they just do not work.
What other tips do you have for blending green smoothies?
Spinach, Strawberries, Bananas and Hemp Seeds.
Green Collards, Bananas and Pear.
Kale, Strawberries, Bananas and Cocoa Powder.
Do you have a favorite green smoothie recipe?


text:
Category Archives: HUMAN RIGHTS
Tens of thousands march in southern India to protest citizenship law
…. HUMAN RIGHTS ….
An article by Vinod Babu and Manoj Kumar from Reuters (reprinted by permission)
Over one hundred thousand protesters, many carrying the Indian tricolour flag, took part in a peaceful march in the southern city of Hyderabad on Saturday [January 4], chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new citizenship law.
Demonstrators hold placards and flags as they attend a protest rally against a new citizenship law, in Hyderabad, India, January 4, 2020. REUTERS/Vinod Babu
The protest, dubbed the 'Million March', was organized by an umbrella group of Muslim and civil society organizations. More than 40 percent of Hyderabad's estimated population of nearly 7 million are Muslims.
Demonstrators were still pouring into the protest site late on Saturday afternoon, according to a Reuters witness, despite police saying no march would be allowed and that permission had only been granted for a 1,000-person gathering.
(Article continued in the right column)
How effective are mass protest marches?
(Article continued from the left column)
The Indian government has faced weeks of acrimonious and, at times, violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was passed by Modi's government in December.
The Hyderabad protesters held placards with slogans including "Withdraw CAA immediately," and "India's only religion in Secularism."
The Reuters witness said the protest remained peaceful, and estimated that more than one hundred thousand people were in attendance.
The new law eases the path for non-Muslim minorities from the neighboring Muslim-majority nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan to gain Indian citizenship. But, if combined with a proposed national register of citizens, critics of the CAA fear it will discriminate against minority Muslims in India and chip away at India's secular constitution.
Modi's government maintains the new law is necessary to help minorities facing persecution in Muslim-majority nations, and it has called the pan-India protests politically motivated.
At least 25 people have been killed in protest-related clashes with police since early December.
Elsewhere, protests against the CAA also went ahead in several other Indian cities on Saturday with hundreds turning out for protests in cities in the southern state of Karnataka.
Hundreds of men and women gathered at a rally in the tech hub of Bengaluru, with some accusing Modi's government of trying to divide India along communal lines, to distract from a sharp domestic economic slowdown and job losses.
January 6, 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS, South AsiaSouth AsiaCPNN Coordinator
Zimbabwe: MDC Leadership Engages National Peace And Reconciliation Commission
… . HUMAN RIGHTS … .
An article from Pindula News
The MDC leadership today met with Commissioners of the , an independent Constitutional Commission, at the party headquarters at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai headquarters in a frank and honest debate regarding the work and mandate of the Commission.
[Note: The Movement for Democratic Change is the main opposition political party in Zimbabwe.]
President Nelson Chamisa welcomed the Commissioners to the party headquarters and said the party appreciated the heavy workload of the Commission.
In his welcome remarks, he said that he hoped for an open, frank and honest discussion between the party leadership and the NPRC in a manner that would further the interests of the people of Zimbabwe and entrench a culture of peace and tolerance in the country.
President Chamisa sought leave of the Commissioners to attend the funeral of one his drivers in Mbare. He left Vice President Hon. Tendai Biti to chair the MDC leadership's two-and-half-hour fruitful and candid engagement with the leadership of the NPRC.
Truth Commissions, Do they improve human rights?
The MDC leaders raised issues to do with the independence and autonomy of the Commission, the continued culture of impunity in the country in spite of the existence of the Commission as well as the disturbing fact that the NPRC had not referred anyone for prosecution, even in cases where the culprits of violence and conflict had been identified.
The party leaders cited Gukurahundi, the electoral violence that has been committed by Zanu PF over the years and the non-prosecution of perpetrators of violence in cases such as the State-sponsored violence of August 01, 2018, in which six people were killed as well as the State-driven violence of January 2019 in which more innocent people were callously murdered.
The NPRC insisted that it was an independent Commission and that it would roll out a national visibility programme in 2020, even though they said they required more resources to execute their Constitutional mandate.
The party leadership and the NPRC agreed to continuously engage to solve conflicts and promote peace and reconciliation in the country.
As a party, the MDC has been a victim of Zanu PF and State-sponsored violence in which thousands of people have been brutally killed, with no action taken against the culprits.
The party leadership insisted in the meeting that peace and reconciliation alone were not enough as justice had to be seen to be done particularly against the perpetrators of violence and genocide against the people.
Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson
December 19, 2019 Africa, HUMAN RIGHTSAfricaCPNN Coordinator
PAYNCoP Gabon Pleads for Youth Involvement in the National Commission for Human Rights
An article by Jerry Bibang
The National Coordination of the Panafrican Youth Network for Peace Culture (PAYNCoP Gabon) took part, from 26 to 27 November 2019, in a sensitization workshop on National Human Rights Institutions.
Organized by the Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission of Human Rights (CNDH) with the support of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the United Nations Regional Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Central Africa, this meeting brought together several experts including those of the United Nations System, the Government, the National Commission for Human Rights as well as those of the Organizations of Civil society.
(Click here for the original French version.)
"The goal is to operationalize the CNDH through the sharing of good practices and contributions from each other," said the Representative of UNOCA at the beginning of the workshop.
During the work, PAYNCoP Gabon advocated for a greater involvement of civil society organizations, especially those representing young people. In this sense, the National Coordinator suggested changing the age criterion which sets the minimum age of 40 to be a commissioner at the CNDH.
"If it is possible to be a deputy or Minister at 35 in Gabon, why set the age of commissioners of the CNDH at 40 ?" questioned Jerry Bibang. "This provision constitutes a factor of exclusion and a violation of the right to participation of young people in the management of public affairs," he explained. It is opposed to regional and international legal instruments that encourage the participation of young people including the African Youth Charter and resolution 2250 (youth, peace and security) of the United Nations Security Council, he added. before insisting that the youth component should be taken into account in the current reform of the National Commission on Human Rights.
The various proposals of the workshop aim at modifying the text creating and organizing the CNDH of Gabon in order to bring it up to international standards, in particular the principles of Paris. The draft text to be amended will be submitted to the competent authorities.
December 4, 2019 Africa, HUMAN RIGHTSAfricaCPNN Coordinator
USA: Exoneration of Scott Warren is a triumph for humanity
An article from Amnesty International
In response to the humanitarian volunteer Dr Scott Warren being found not guilty of the charges against him in a court in Arizona today, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, said:
The post-election fightback for human rights, is it gathering force in the USA?
"Sense has prevailed today with the jury exonerating Dr. Scott Warren for a simple reason: humanitarian aid is never a crime. The Trump administration is wrong to try to prosecute people who are only trying to save lives. By threatening Dr. Warren with a decade in prison, the US government sought to criminalize compassion and weaponize the deadly desert against people who make the perilous journey to the United States in search of safety."
This was the second trial Dr Warren has faced on charges of "harbouring" two migrants, for providing them with humanitarian assistance in the town of Ajo, Arizona, where he lives. The first trial resulted in a mistrial on 2 July, when eight of 12 jurors sought to acquit him on all charges but could not reach a unanimous decision.
In July, Amnesty International issued a report documenting the Trump administration's misuse of the criminal justice system to threaten, intimidate, and punish those defending the human rights of migrants and asylum seekers on the US–Mexico border.
November 21, 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS, North AmericaNorth AmericaCPNN Coordinator
PAYNCoP Gabon Partners with the National Youth Council to Stop Violence against Youth
To CPNN from Jerry Bibang, PAYNCoP National Coordinator (translation by CPNN)
In the face of renewed violence against young people in Gabon, the National Coordination of the Panafrican Youth Network for the Culture of Peace (PAYNCoP Gabon) and the National Youth Council of Gabon (CNJG) joined forces on Saturday, October 26, to firmly condemn this phenomenon which harms Gabonese youth. Their press conference had the support of several youth organizations in Gabon.
(Click here for the original in French.)
Rights of the child, How can they be promoted and protected?
In the statement, read by Fernandez Ona, President of the CNJG, the young leaders recalled the international legal provisions relating to the protection of the child in particular Article 16 of the African Charter of the Rights and Welfare of the Child that states: "The States Parties to this Charter shall take specific legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child against all forms of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and in particular any form of or physical or mental abuse, neglect or abuse, including sexual abuse, when entrusted to the care of a parent, legal guardian, school authority or any other person having custody of the child."
Also, the 2040 Agenda of the African Union on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child, in its aspiration 7, urges the States Parties to provide protection against all forms of violence against children. In the same vein, the Constitution of the Republic, in its Preamble, reaffirms the need to ensure and protect the physical and moral integrity of youth.
"In spite of these normative devices, it is sad to note the recurrence of cases of violence against young people on the national territory," said Jerry Bibang, PAYNCoP National Coordinator. "The violence is multiple and varied, including physical, sexual, economic, verbal and psychological violence," he added, respectfully urging the Government to take concrete measures to eradicate this phenomenon.
October 31, 2019 Africa, HUMAN RIGHTSAfricaCPNN Coordinator
PAYNCoP Gabon and AFRICTIVITIES inform civil society organizations about the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)
by Jerry Bibang, National Coordinator of PAYNCoP Gabon (translation by CPNN)
As part of the celebration of the African month of justice, the Citizen Movement for Good Governance in Gabon (MCB2G) and the Panafrican Youth Network for Peace Culture (PAYNCoP), in partnership with Africtivists, organized, Saturday, August 10, a public conference on the theme "African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and Access to Justice: Mechanism for this fundamental right."
(click on photo to enlarge)
Hosted by Paulette Oyane Ondo, lawyer and human rights defender, the meeting at the Glass Cultural Center brought together several NGO leaders and associations working for the defense and promotion of human rights.
How can human rights be defended?
In his remarks, Jerry Bibang, the MCB2G General Coordinator and National Coordinator of PAYNCoP Gabon emphasized the context of this meeting: "the activity that brings us together today is part of the implementation of the program entitled 'Local Initiative for Justice', which aims to set up a framework for dialogue, exchange, discussion and debate around human and peoples' rights issues. The program, organized by Africtivistes, consists of 5 major sessions that will be held successively in Gabon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Cameroon. "
Through this program, "the Africtivists and all the stakeholders wish to publicize the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), which remains little known to the general public," he added.
In her remarks, Maitre Paulette Oyane Ondo began with a historical reminder before addressing the composition, functioning, mechanisms and conditions of referral to the ACHPR. For the lawyer, the Commission, created in 1987 in Ethiopia, essentially promotes, protects, guarantees and respects human rights in Africa. Its basic tool is the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
The commission also acts as a jurisdiction between states or in case of a difference between a state and an individual or a group of people living in Africa. If the commission is accessible to all, there are, however, conditions for it to take up a case. The first condition is that the country involved has ratified the African Charter on Human Rights; and the second is that the complaint is related to a violation of the basic text. The lawyer took the opportunity to highlight the lack of involvement of Gabonese civil society with the ACHPR, before answering the many questions of the participants.
On the sidelines of this event, the public also was presented the Africtivistes platform by Boursier Tchibinda, one of the members of this pan-African organization as well as a presentation of the MCB2G, by Joanie Mahinou, the Deputy General Coordonatrice of this NGO.
August 13, 2019 Africa, HUMAN RIGHTSAfricaCPNN Coordinator
Global Human Rights Movement Issues Travel Warning for the U.S. due to Rampant Gun Violence
Amnesty International today issued a travel warning calling for possible travelers and visitors to the United States to exercise extreme caution when traveling throughout the country due to rampant gun violence, which has become so prevalent in the United States that it amounts to a human rights crisis. It aims to hold up a mirror to the U.S. using the model of the United States Department of State's travel advice for U.S. travelers to other countries.
"Travelers to the United States should remain cautious that the country does not adequately protect people's right to be safe, regardless of who they might be. People in the United States cannot reasonably expect to be free from harm – a guarantee of not being shot is impossible," said Ernest Coverson, campaign manager for the End Gun Violence Campaign at Amnesty International USA. "Once again, it is chillingly clear that the U.S. government is unwilling to ensure protection against gun violence."
The travel advisory addressed growing gun violence, mostly hate crimes, including racism and discrimination, highlighting that the traveler's race, country of origin, ethnic background, sexual orientation or gender identity may place them at higher risk after recent attacks linked to white supremacist ideology.
What is the state of human rights in the world today?
Do you think handguns should be banned?, Why or why not?
The action called attention to the extent to which all aspects of life in the United States have been compromised in some way by unfettered access to guns, without comprehensive and uniform regulation of their acquisition and use. By prioritizing gun ownership over basic human rights, the U.S. government is willfully and systematically failing on multiple levels and ignoring its international obligations to protect people's rights and safety.
Amnesty International has been calling for common sense reform regarding the use and possession of firearms, including comprehensive background checks, national regulations for registering and licensing firearms, required training, a ban on high capacity magazines/assault weapons, and mandatory safe-storage laws. Amnesty International USA's campaign to end gun violence has focused efforts on passing S.42., the Assault Weapons ban, and the Disarm Hate Act.
A report by Amnesty International, "In the Line of Fire: Human Rights and the U.S. Gun Violence Crisis" examined how all aspects of American life have been compromised in some way by the unfettered access to guns, with no attempts at meaningful national regulation.
Last month, Amnesty International published a report examining how survivors of gun violence in the United States suffer years of trauma and pain due to a destructive combination of government policies which ignore their needs.
August 9, 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS, North AmericaNorth AmericaCPNN Coordinator
UN chief welcomes power-sharing deal between Sudanese military and opposition
An article from UN News
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday he was "encouraged" by reports of a newly-inked power-sharing deal between the Forces for Freedom and Change – a coalition of opposition and protest groups – and Sudan's ruling military council.
The two sides have reportedly agreed to share power for three years, and then hold elections for a return to full civilian government. Mr. Guterres welcomed the decision to establish transitional governing bodies, and congratulated the African Union, Ethiopia and the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), for their role in mediating the talks.
Video from Deutsche Welle
News of the deal reportedly brought thousands of people onto the streets to celebrate and raised hopes that a peaceful transition of power can take place, following months of turmoil since December's civilian revolt began.
The Secretary-General, said a statement from his Spokesperson, is now encouraging all stakeholders to "ensure the timely, inclusive, and transparent implementation of the agreement and resolve any outstanding issues through dialogue."
The statement also noted that Mr. Guterres welcomes the parties' commitment to conducting an independent investigation into the violence perpetrated against peaceful protesters, including the events on 3 June, when security forces and militia fired on pro-democracy protesters in the capital Khartoum, leaving dozens dead and many more injured.
The UN chief expressed his solidarity with the people of Sudan, and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to assist in the transition process.
Following a series of strikes and protests early in the year, long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by his top generals in April. Hopes were high that the military and opposition could reach a deal, but since the military-led violence of 3 April, talks were at an impasse until the latest round of negotiations began in the capital Khartoum earlier this week.
Just last Sunday, there were nationwide demonstrations demanding the transfer of power to civilian hands, in which at least seven were reportedly killed, with more than 180 injured.
On Wednesday, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Sudanese authorities to lift restrictions on the internet and launch independent investigations into all acts of violence against demonstrators, and allegations of excessive force, including attacks on hospitals. Ms. Bachelet said her office had received numerous allegations that excessive force had been used by security forces against protestors.
July 6, 2019 Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, MideastAfrica, MideastCPNN Coordinator
Kazakhstan: Protests of presidential vote bring 500 arrests
An article from The Public's Radio-Kazakhstan
Police detained hundreds of people in Kazakhstan amid unauthorized protests of a presidential election Sunday that opponents alleged was a fake exercise in democracy.
Kazakh police block demonstrators during an anti-government protest during the presidential elections in Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan, Sunday, June 9, 2019
Officers, some in riot gear with shields and helmets, broke up the demonstrations in the capital, Nur-Sultan, and in Almaty, the Central Asian country's main commercial city. Some 500 protesters were taken to police stations, a government official said.
Three police officers were injured in the clashes, Deputy Interior Minister Marat Kozhayev said. There were no immediate reports of charges following the arrests.
The snap election was called after the unexpected March resignation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, 78, who had led the country since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Many people assumed Nazarbayev would run for re-election during a regularly scheduled presidential vote next year.
The protesters alleged the election to choose his successor would not be free or fair, and had called for a voter boycott.
Nazarbayev loyalist Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the upper house speaker who became acting president when Nazarbayev stepped down, was expected to win easily.
Seven candidates were on the ballot, including a genuine opposition figure for the first time since 2005.
The opposition candidate, Amirzhan Kossanov, said he had no complaints about possible campaign violations before Sunday's contest.
"But the most important result, the peak of the election political process, is counting of the votes," Kossanov said.
The national elections commission reported that about 77% of the electorate turned out to vote. Previous presidential elections had reported turnouts of more than 90%.
Kazakhstan recently has experienced rising opposition sentiment. Previous anti-government rallies took place in the spring to protest the early election, which opponents saw as an orchestrated handover of power.
One of the most prosperous former Soviet republics, large Kazakhstan stands at a crossroads between neighbors China and Russia.
[Note: According to Garda News, Canadian diplomatic authorities indicate large-scale demonstrations are expected in Nur-Sultan and Almaty on Sunday, June 30.
June 30, 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS, South AsiaSouth AsiaCPNN Coordinator
Czech Republic: Prague crowds demand PM Andrej Babis step down
A report by Emmanuelle Chaze from Deutsche Welle (reprinted by permission)
Hundreds of thousands of anti-Babis activists flooded the center of Prague on Sunday [June 23] in the culmination of anti-government protests.
"Judging from the aerial photos, it looks like we're about 250,000," said Mikulas Minar, head of Million Moments for Democracy, the NGO organizing the protest, as crowds were filling Prague's central Letna square earlier on Sunday.
Carolina, a flight attendant from the south of the country, told DW she had traveled to Prague to take part in the protests because it "has simply become too much."
"That's why people from all across the country came here today, to show that it isn't simply the people in the capital that are angry."
Hannah, 31, a saleswoman, said she no longer agrees with the government: "Even in his own party (ANO), there are people against Babis who didn't want him as a prime minister … now I think it is our turn to show that we disagree with how things are done."
Previously, some 400,000 people signed a petition calling on billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis to step down amid allegations of fraud. The rallies were triggered after Babis appointed a close ally as the country's new justice minister at a time when prosecutors are deciding on a potential indictment against him.
Many Babis opponents also claim the 64-year-old politician had collaborated with the communist secret police before the 1989 Velvet Revolution.
Corruption and anti-corruption
Babis has built his reputation as the founder and head of his business empire Agrofert, which started in the early 1990s and grew to become the Czech Republic's biggest private employer, encompassing over 250 companies.
The billionaire entered politics in 2011 by founding the ANO (YES) party on an anti-corruption platform, becoming finance minister and deputy prime minister in 2014. He was forced out of the Cabinet in 2017 over allegations of tax fraud and suspicious business dealings. However, the crisis brought down the government and triggered a parliamentary election, which saw Babis' ANO place far ahead of its rivals.
During the campaign, Babis was hounded by charges of defrauding the EU for around €2 million ($2.28 million) in 2007. He has denied any wrongdoing.
In April this year, police said Babis should stand trial over the alleged fraud. Babis rejected the move as a political plot against him. When Justice Minister Jan Knezinek resigned over the probe, Babis replaced him with his own longtime adviser Marie Benesova.
Last month, Babis found himself fending off another crisis when preliminary results of a European Commission audit were leaked to the public. According to the draft document, Babis has a conflict of interest as his companies benefit from EU funding. Specifically, it found that Agrofert should not have received €17.4 million in EU subsidies. The prime minister dismissed it as "an attack on the Czech Republic."
He also pledged not to resign.
Risky vote of no confidence
The opposition has called a no-confidence vote for next week. To oust Babis, the opposition would need to have his coalition partners, the Social Democrats, side against him, or have the Communist Party revoke their parliamentary support for the government.
However, some observers believe Babis could also turn to the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy party to stay in power.
A state attorney is set to decide whether Babis will go on trial over subsidies later this year.
June 27, 2019 Europe, HUMAN RIGHTSEuropeCPNN Coordinator


text:
Jakub Makovička (born 7 March 1981) is a Czech rower. He competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens with the men's coxless four where they came eighths.

References

1981 births
Living people
Czech male rowers
Olympic rowers of the Czech Republic
Rowers at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Rowers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Rowers from Prague
European Rowing Championships medalists

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


(n.) a place where a person or animal feels it ought to live and belong; it is where nature feels right or welcome.
This year, our annual art show is on Monday, April 22, 2019 which happens to be...EARTH DAY! I couldn't be more excited! Our show will include student independent projects as in past years, but will also have a special exhibit in celebration of Earth Day. Pieces will explore human emotion in connection to nature, current environmental issues, and so much more!
Also, **insert drumroll,** throughout the month of April, select Earth Day artworks from both DCHS and DMS art students will be on display at the Hunter Art Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tn! This is an amazing opportunity for our students! If you are out and about in Chattanooga, please stop by and show these hardworking students your love and support during the month of April, 2019!
Hi! I'm Mrs. Wilson! I am an artist, designer, and teacher and I love an emphasis on emotionally driven projects and instruction.


The timeworn industry standard is to focus on purely bottom-line results. Productivity-obsessed leaders, however, experience a massive, and often invisible, cost of doing business this way. News outlets report that employee burnout is costing U.S. business alone more than $300 billion in labor costs annually. Voluntary separations and employee churn are well documented in companies, but what is less well documented are healthcare costs, which are increasing rapidly, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Simply put, your "machines" are breaking down on you, and most leaders are failing to see it. In any average company, human capital is the primary expense. This means that your people have the highest replacement cost, and the highest value. I am arguing that you should start treating them as high-value assets.
It's well proven that employees take about four months of time to train, with associated costs. In companies that haven't resorted to 1099s primarily, there are healthcare costs associated throughout the year. Not to mention your churn rates, unemployment, recruiters, and all of the other expenses attached, should any employee choose to leave.
The cost of implementing more holistic management systems that take care of your human capital quickly become cost effective, once all your invisible costs of the old management style are brought to the surface.
I first noticed this trend at the beginning of 2017, and increasingly this year. In my work in culture design, historically leaders have wanted to employ culture-based management systems that improve engagement and productivity. But then the opposite started happening. CEOs started coming to us with the opposite issue: How do I make my teams work less?
I dug through the research and found the following statistics, and solutions, for rethinking the people-side of your business.
There is an unseen cost to workforce management systems that drive productivity alone. Research shows that company cultures with high-stress workforces are shown to have 50 percent more healthcare costs associated, 40 percent more absenteeism, 70 percent more accidents, and are far less likely to be recommended as great places to work.
The reverse is also true in noteworthy and surprising ways. Low-stress, high-productivity cultures are found to have four times more productivity with less "hand holding" from management and two times the revenues of their competitors, as reported by Harvard Business School researchers.
In an environment of low complexity (for example, manufacturing workers on basic machines), mindfulness at work is shown to have an incremental gain. In medium-complexity organizations, the productivity gains from mindfulness become exponential. In high-complexity organizations, the productivity gains become what Harvard researchers call a "breakthrough organization." Achieving breakthrough organizations are what the few culture-centric businesses have done that have achieved name-brand recognition for culture: Zappos, Four Seasons, Nordstrom, Quicken Loans, Southwest Airlines. According to James Heskett, Earl Sasser, and Leonard Schlesinger in What Great Service Leaders Know and Do (Berrett-Koehler Publishers. 2015), a breakthrough organization is one that provides extraordinary value to both customers and to employees, not necessarily at low cost, but with extraordinary returns to shareholders.
Achieving a breakthrough organization is achievable for any leadership team willing to invest in designing for the future of work. Creating work that is both customer-centric and employee-centric is possible. Designing for the future of organizational culture with new mindsets and innovative systems is how great organizations achieve long-term returns that cannot be replicated by their competitors.
First published Dec. 3, 2018, on the thoughtLEADERS blog.
Jessica Higgins is a marketing and culture expert whose research and publications help leaders and everyday people understand emerging trends. Higgins is a Black Belt in the field of Lean Six Sigma with specialty in systems design (DMADV), a certification in Behavior Design, a Juris Doctor of law, a Masters of Business Management, and Bachelors Degrees in Behavioral Psychology and Political Science.